NONPROFIT ISRAEL: The Catalogue of Experiential Visits to Israeli Nonprofits
Alisa Maeir Epstein, Project Director
972-545-872-260
Article for Janglo (to be published through Zel Lederman)
Socially-conscious tourism –the new way to visit a country!
The growing international trend of socially-conscious tourism has now hit Israel in a big way. The new online directory - NONPROFIT ISRAEL: A CATALOGUE OF EXPERIENTIAL VISITS TO ISRAELI NONPROFITS – is a unique tourism initiative offering a wide range of exciting and moving visits to about 70 nonprofit organizations though out the country. Sponsored by the Jerusalem-based ISRAELGRANTS.COM, () the Catalogue provides a special experience which is not another historical or tourism site, buta chance to meet dedicated people active in interesting and effective fields that contribute to Israeli society in any area from the arts to sports, politics and Jewish-Arab relations, health and aid to vulnerable and needy populations.
The visits are usually from an hour up to half a day and are suited to individuals, families or groups, Israeli or foreign. The Catalogue may be browsed by subject matter or by geographical location (some visits are limited to a particular location, other organizations offer visits to different sites around the country). Some organizations offer more than one possible activity, and others are willing to structure a visit that will match the interests and timetable of each visitor.
And “experiential” is the word! Visitors with an interest in the arts can observe an orchestra rehearsal or ethnic music performance and meet performers; socially-minded visitors can tour or volunteer in facilities that offer sports, enrichment or educational activities for disadvantaged youth or people with disabilities; and visitors with an interest in politics or the Israeli-Arab conflict can visit a relevant research institute or community and interact with the participants. Beyond the unique experience the visitors can undergo, this will also provide them with valuable insights into Israeli society, and give them an opportunity to become familiar with organizations engaged in social action. For the non-profits, this is a chance to expand their circle of friends and interest potential donors in their activity.
See Sample Visits:
Jerusalem
Tel Aviv
BeerSheva
Throughout Israel
Northern Region
SouthernRegion
Please note: All visits are free of charge (there are a few which require some fee which is always noted in the Catalogue). As well, ISRAELGRANTS.COM emphasizes that there is no solicitation during the visits, though the nonprofits ask that you provide them with your name and email contact information.
The Catalogue may be viewed online at
To arrange a visit or to register in the Catalogue (nonprofits only!) contact Chava: 02-5636629 or
Sample Visits
Jerusalem - United Hatzalah (Israel Rescue)
VisitingUnited Hatzalah, a fully volunteer organization that provides Israeli’s free first response medical service is truly exhilarating. To begin with, groups view the ambucyles - all the crucial technology of an ambulance mounted on a motorcycle. Driven by 2,500 volunteers who answer calls of distress from all Israelis without regard to race, religious or origin, they nimbly dodge traffic arriving at the scene within 3 minutes, way before the ambulances. This life-saving bridge serving over 200,000 people a year is run from the busy dispatch room where visitors can follow real-time calls, chat with volunteers from all sectors of society, and learn about the direct connection with the alert systems of the Home Front Command of the Israeli Defense Forces. Guests are then invited to duck into the underground emergency wartime dispatch center, try on protective gear and learn about the latest ambulatory technology in the equipment room, view a highly moving film about the organization.
Tel Aviv-Jaffa – Nalagaat
Your busy waiter/waitress leads you through total darkness as you are seated in the BlackOut Restaurant of The Nalagaat Center,a facility dedicated to providing a dialogue between deaf, blind, deaf-blind and the general public though artistic and cultural experiences. Eating without sight is an everyday experience for the visually impaired and blind individuals who are rightfully employed at this special eatery, just as communicating with clients through sign language and writing is natural for their deaf colleagues working at the adjacent Kapish Café. The central attraction ofthe Center, located in the picturesque OldJaffaPort, is the The Nalaga'at Theater, the only deaf-blind theater group in the world. Performances for adults and children are staged three days a week by this award-winning group which has performed worldwide at prestigious venues. As well, visitors may participate in workshops led by hosted by deaf and blind instructorsincluding: Sign language workshops, wine or ice-cream tasting in the dark and clay sculpturing inthe dark.
Beer Sheva - Israeli Sinfonietta Beer-Sheva
Behind the scenes at the Israeli Sinfonietta Beer-Sheva, music lovers of all ages will enjoy meeting the artists, many of whom are new immigrants from the FCU. Their stories are an integral part of the Negev – the southern part of Israel which benefits from this orchestra. Guests will be greeted by a representative from the
Sinfonietta staff and will receive a tour of the hall and the rehearsal rooms at the orchestra's home venue in the municipal Performing Arts Center. They may sit inone of the orchestra's rehearsals and will then be invited toattend a concert of their choice from the Sinfonietta's repertoire. As the Sinfonietta puts an emphasis on younger crowds, music education and children's concerts are part of their offerings. Last but not least, they will receive a complimentary souvenir program of the concert they choose to attend.
Throughout the Country (14 locations) - Israel Tennis Centers
Tennis anyone? For many kids this would be impossible if not for the Israel Tennis Centers - operating for the past 35 years, now in 14 locations throughout the country. The organization offers childrenat risk, with special needs and from Ethiopian immigrant families, the chance to excel in sport and teamwork, receive guidance from caring coaches and professionals in various fields, and ultimately realize that the sky is the limit for their dreams.This nonprofit aims to reduce social gaps in Israel through sports, plans activities for the community and develops
tennis players while instilling educational values.
Visitors will meet with the manager of the Center and will join him to see the childrenduring the programs which are unique to that specific Center. During the visit, visitors will receive an explanation of the activities and will be able toplay with the children. In some of the centers, expect to see famous Israeli Tennis champions. In others, a bold attempt to bring together Jewish and Arab children through sports, fostering coexistence and tolerance.
Northern Region - Afnan el Galil/Arab town of Arraba
A very charming group of interesting women awaits the visitor to Afnan el Galil in the town of Arrabain the Galilee. This association focuses on the empowerment of underprivileged Arab women in the north and the fostering of intercultural and inter-religious encounters through rural tourismin order to nurture mutual understanding.
The meeting takes place in a restored antique stone building housing a rare exhibit of early 20th Century photos depicting rural life in the area. Staff members introduce the organization and provide updated information about the situation of the Arab minority inside Israel, with an optional slide show available to those interested. Visitors may observe the embroidery workshop which was established as part of the effort to preserve local heritage and traditional women's handicrafts. These authentic works are also available for purchase. One might join the dancing during a short performance of traditional song and dance, hear from the women about their lives and even sample fresh local cuisine (meals can be pre-arranged).
Southern Region
A. Center for Creative Ecology/Kibbutz Lotan
All you ever wanted to know about desert ecology is concentrated in Kibbutz Lotan's Center for Creative Ecology situatedin Israel's southern Arava desert.This unique kibbutz, a member of the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism is also a member of the Global Eco-village Network and was awarded the prize for Eco-village Excellence in 2006 for work in environmental education, fostering peacefulcoexistence, waste management and ecological building. Adults and children will enjoy the tour of theEco-campus – a prototype ecologicalneighborhood built by and for the students of our courses, the Eco-park – anexperiential theme park providing hands-on environmental education for all ages. Optional field walks will take you to the Lotan bird reserve and sand dunes. Finish off your visit with a drink in the solar tea house or a light dairy mealincluding home-made goat cheeses and yogurts and locally-grownorganic vegetables. If you choose to participate in a workshop, you might find yourself learning earth building techniques or organic farming. During sessions, there will be an opportunity to meet the students. All this takes place within a special atmosphere providing quality experientialenvironmental education from a liberal, progressive Jewish perspective.
B. Atid BaMidbar/Development town of Yerucham
Based in the multi-cultural Negev development town of Yeroham, Atid Bamidbar connects Jewswith each other and with Jewish heritage, targeting especially the Negev's Jewish residents of allethnic and religious backgrounds from tens of diverse localities, as well as new immigrants. Atid Bamidbar's open, creativeand egalitarian approach has won it awards from Israeli government departments and foundationsever since its establishment in 1990. Atid Bamidbar promotes educational, cultural and communalinitiatives, develops communal leadership, and provides educational programming and communalcultural events that impact over 20,000 individuals annually, including programs for more than200 visiting groups a year from Israel and abroad.
The visit will begin with a delicious ethnic meal served inthe home of one of the Culinary Queens of Yeroham, spiced with stories of the town. Next we will depart for a tour leading from the YeruhamLaketo the Large Crator – a unique geological phenomenon, introducing guests to the community and the natural surroundings. We will finish with a short film discussing the challenges facing Yeruham, the Negev and Israeli society as a whole.